Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire Fall Finale Ends in Flames — But Here’s When Season 14 Returns

Posted on by Harry

A Sudden Stop — With Big Questions Left Behind

Chicago Fire fans barely caught their breath after just seven episodes into Season 14 — and now the show has hit the brakes. NBC has confirmed that episode 7 served as the fall finale, sending Firehouse 51 into a seven-week hiatus to close out 2025.

No new episodes will air for the rest of the year across the One Chicago lineup, but there’s good news: Season 14 returns Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 9/8c.

And when it does, expect the flames to pick up exactly where they left off.Taylor Kinney & David Eigenberg's TikTok Attempt Ends in Fun

Will Severide Survive the Apartment Fire?

The biggest cliffhanger centers on Kelly Severide and Van Meter, who were trapped in a raging apartment fire as the screen faded to black. While we’re betting Severide makes it out alive — after all, Taylor Kinney just returned to the franchise — fans are much less certain about Van Meter’s fate.

The winter premiere trailer shows Van Meter in critical condition, sparking theories that his exit might be permanent. Could this be the end of their unconventional partnership?

Engine 51’s Future in Jeopardy

Back at the station, another crisis is quietly brewing. A single line from Annette Davis, the mayor’s Chief of Staff, sent chills through the department: Engine 51 is facing decommission.

If budget cuts force the engine out, what happens to Mouch and the rest of the team? Rumors swirl about a transfer or early retirement. Either way, 51 may not look the same when the season resumes.

Sal’s Family Secret Detonates

Meanwhile, Sal is grappling with the shock news that his father has been granted parole — a move no one saw coming. With his past now intruding on his present, Sal must confront painful truths and unravel how his father secured early release.

This emotional subplot is expected to take center stage in the January premiere, adding a deeply personal layer to the action-packed return.4 Chicago Fire characters who CANNOT be written off the show in season 14

What’s Next for Firehouse 51?

The fall finale may have only aired seven episodes, but it left behind a wreckage of unanswered questions:

  • Who survives the apartment blaze?

  • Will Engine 51 survive the city’s budget cuts?

  • Can Sal find peace — or will the past consume him?

NBC is promising a high-stakes return in 2026. With fire, betrayal, and emotional fallout waiting in the wings, Season 14 is far from cooling down.